There have been rumors that Apple will announce DRM-free tracks from the three …

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Since Apple announced the DRM-free iTunes Plus last May, the only major label to offer DRM-free songs on iTunes is still EMI. Though negotiations have reportedly been ongoing with the other three major labels—Universal, Sony, and Warner—no deal has been made. Despite rumors from French website ElectronLibre that Apple would announce DRM-free tracks from all three labels today, such an announcement may not come any time soon.

Though plenty of smaller, independent labels have taken the opportunity to release iTunes Plus tracks, nothing has come from the three largest labels thus far. However, those labels do sell DRM-free tracks through the likes of the Amazon MP3 Store. What exactly is holding up the big three from agreeing to ax DRM isn't clear, but some sticking points may be variable (read: higher) track prices and access to live sales data reporting. Since iTunes controls some 70 percent of the legal download market, though, the main problem is likely that labels fear giving control of the market to Apple.

CNet reports that negotiations with the remaining major labels is still ongoing, and none of those negotiations were final as of Monday afternoon. According to one source, if there is anything to announce, it won't before the end of this year. As of publish time, no word has come from Apple regarding such an announcement today. And, in case you were curious, our own sources aren't being very forthcoming with details either. They appear to acknowledge that the iTunes world is on the verge of freeing itself from the DRM ball and chain for good, but cannot confirm any sort of solid timeline.

Perhaps executives at the labels are just having trouble seeing the DRM-free writing on the wall. If and when the change comes, though, I'll be more than happy to upgrade my tracks to iTunes Plus and be rid of DRM—at least on my music—once and for all.